PRN For Families
Snowmass Village, CO

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News From PRN For Families

PRN for Families is pleased and honored to have been selected to present at the upcoming annual conference of the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP), taking place in Tampa, Florida from January 31-February 2nd of this year. Charles Elias, LCSW MAC LAC CCPS II SAP, PRN's Founder and Director, will be co-presenting at two separate workshops during the conference, which brings together representatives of therapeutic schools, residential treatment programs, wilderness programs, outdoor therapeutic programs, young adult programs and home-based residential programs working with troubled teens and troubled adolescents.

Along with Grace Colman Losada, Ed.D., the Vice President of Education for Fusion Education Group, Charles will be presenting a workshop entitled, "The Whole Child Approach: Strategies for Shifting Parental Focus from Problems to Solutions." This educational session is focused on how therapeutic programs can thoughtfully help parents and families in shifting their attention and resources from "fixing" their childs identified "problems" to a more family systems oriented approach in their thinking, parenting, and expectations for their child. Ms. Losada and Mr. Elias will discuss strategies for programs and clinicians to help keep the focus on building strength and resilience in the family system instead of just on the child, and best practices around how educators can work with families who have children that think differently, process differently or have emotional challenges.

Additionally, Charles will participate in a panel discussion entitled "Multi-Systemic Care in the Home and Community: What You Need to Know to Successfully Extend the Continuum of Care." Moderated by John Stewart of the Interchange family of programs, other panelists include Leah Madamba, MS, NCC, LPC, of Vive; Tim Thayne, Ph.D., LMFT, from Homeward Bound; and Kris Brightbill, MA, LPC, NCC, from Turning Tides Transitions. In an engaging moderated panel discussion format, these four experienced clinicians, all of whom direct home-based wraparound support programs, will focus on the importance of extending support to clients and families in their homes and communities, and how to make this happen. The moderator will help draw out the challenges, successes, and useful strategies for accessing effective resources for families, as well as creative interventions for difficult or unique scenarios that require thinking outside of the box to support a family's needs. Case studies will also be used to illustrate how different perspectives and thoughtful home-based interventions can more fully support a client's and family's success following a treatment stay.

As part of PRN's ongoing efforts to provide education about home-based wraparound support and family preservation as a model of care, opportunities to present to an audience of esteemed colleagues and professionals is welcomed and appreciated. PRN for Families will be represented at the NATSAP conference by Mr. Elias; Mary Jo DeGrandi, MS, Director of Outreach and Marketing; Patricia Ruggles, LCPC, CADC, Family Consultant; and Kelsey Morell, MSW, Family Consultant.

PRN for Families and Tracks by PRN are home and community-based support programs that serve families who have children or young adults who are struggling, or who may be reuniting following an out-of-home placement. Since 2003, PRN for Families has offered intensive at-home intervention, crisis support, transition and reunification services that empower and support families so that they may live together successfully and safely. Tracks by PRN offers concierge-level services for young adults who may require additional support in order to find success in their efforts to live independently.